Rescue groups said they were both caught in an avalanche around 1 p.m. Saturday while skiing in a backcountry area known as ‘The Numbers’ on Peak 10, southwest of Breckenridge. The father was partially buried and the son was fully buried.
The father managed to free himself, but could not find his son. He then skied out of the area to get cell phone reception and call for help. The father called his 911 at 1:40 p.m. and more than 20 rescue workers responded.
The team formed a search party to find their son. His body was found by avalanche rescue dogs at 3:11 p.m. under about three feet of snow. Neither the son nor the father have been publicly identified.
The two exited Breckenridge Ski Resort through a backcountry access gate, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. It was not immediately clear whether they carried avalanche safety equipment.
The son’s death is the second avalanche fatality so far during the 2022-2023 season, according to the Avalanche Center. The snowboarder was buried and died on December 26th.
Seven people died in avalanches during the 2021-22 season, and another 12 were captured and buried but survived.